For Viper Heart, meeting Stephen Nii, then-owner of family grocery business Nii Superette Inc. in Waipahu, changed the trajectory of her life as an alcohol and drug addict. Nii, who was a caregiver and worked 12-hour days at the store, died suddenly at age 51 last February, she said.
“Stephen was a guru to everybody even though he wasn't an addict himself. He was one of my best friends,” Heart told Aloha State Daily. “About three years ago, he started the first sober living store on island. He got rid of the alcohol and cigarettes he was selling and replaced them with healthy alternatives.”
An herbalist and psychic from Mililani, Heart said she was clean for years, but was in relapse when she met Nii during the summer of 2023. With his help over the next few months, she got sober again and was hired as an employee by fall. “He wanted somebody in recovery, so I made Instagram videos, talked with people and got trained on how to run the shop.”
Heart, who was a manager at spiritual shop Gaia Hawaiʻi before it closed, kept Nii's business operating after he passed, under its new name Viper’s SanctuarNII.
In February, the business took over the 700 square foot space that was Drip Studio HNL, which moved to a larger location at Fort Street Mall. Currently, Viper employs five staff members.
“Our clientele is in town; most of our events were in town and rent was getting higher, so it just felt like town was calling me,” she said about the decision to move. “We'll be open 24/7 with the intention of helping people sober up before they drive home."
Viper’s SanctuarNII will celebrate its grand opening on April 1. It is open now amid renovations with two events planned for March – a paint and sip and mocktail-making class. More information can be found on Instagram @vipers_sanctuarnii.
On the retail side, building inventory is also a priority before the grand opening, Heart said, adding that she’s working to stock alcohol-free and low sugar beverages, jewelry, clothing, candles, potions, crystals and chicken feet protection charms.
The store offers spiritual services and community events complete with a sober living bar that will serve hand-crafted mocktails, herbal teas and mushroom coffee. The bar will have a to-go window and mocktails can be made to choice.
“Personally, it helps me and others with recovery. Everyone is welcome no matter what your definition of recovery is,” she said. "How we prescribe is through intentional conversations, or talking story, in a safe space that leads to healing. I want the space to feel like home and be a sanctuary.”
Including Nii, Heart said she is grateful to Jackie, Naiʻa, Maria, Dani and Kekoa for their support, along with her pet bunny Chubby.
By next year, she aims to open a boozeless burlesque club. “I love to dance and have fun,” Heart said.
As a business owners, sheʻs been learning to slow down and take care of herself. “I’m filling my cup, so I can help fill others.”
Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros can be reached at kelsey@alohastatedaily.com.
